14 DAY TRIAL // Apple’s intentional slowdowns affecting older iPhones keep causing headaches to the Cupertino-based tech giant, as another consumer group has decided to sue the company over planned obsolescence for iPhone 6, Phone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, and iPhone 6s Plus.
This time, the group taking Apple to court is Altroconsumo, who decided to ask for at least 60 Euros on average of affected consumers. Eurocojnsumers, the consumer group involved in the legal dispute, says the decision comes after similar lawsuits filed in Belgium and Spain for the same reason.
A fourth lawsuit is also planned, group says
Euroconsumers is thus coordinating no less than three lawsuits, and what’s more, it plans a fourth one in the coming weeks. The organization says it also wants to sue Apple in Portugal for planned obsolescence.
“When consumers buy Apple iPhones, they expect sustainable quality products. Unfortunately, that is not what happened with the iPhone 6 series. Not only were consumers defrauded, and did they have to face frustration and financial harm, from an environmental point of view it is also utterly irresponsible" said Els Bruggeman, Head of Policy and Enforcement at Euroconsumers.
“This new lawsuit is the latest front in our fight against planned obsolescence in Europe. Our ask is simple: American consumers received compensation, European consumers want to be treated with the same fairness and respect.”
Needless to say, Apple has remained completely tight-lipped on these new lawsuits, but it goes without saying such news can’t be good for the company.
Apple intentionally slowed down older iPhones in an attempt to deal with the degradation of batteries, all without users’ consent. The company later shipped iOS updates that included more information in this regard, while also launching a special battery replacement program offering such repairs at a discounted price.